How to socialize cats that are afraid of people

Q: Three years ago I adopted two young adult cats who were sharing a cage at the Humane Society. Labeled as strays, their backgrounds were unknown. While they have full run of the house, every imaginable toy, cat tree and a limitless supply of food, they still hide when people come and will not sit on my lap. I'm lucky to pet one of them for a few seconds. I'm up in years, a lifelong cat owner and never encountered this. I fear they were abused. Is it too late to get them to trust humans?

—The Cat Lady, Harrisburg

A: It's never too late. Their distrust of humans is more likely linked to the amount of time they spent as free-roaming cats. Outdoor living requires a defensive lifestyle, so their "faux feral" behavior makes sense even after months or years of indoor living.

My first suggestion involves your feeding routine. Serve multiple meals throughout the day so your kitties learn to associate food with something pleasant — your presence. Make a sound, ring a bell, anything that indicates "feeding time" and speak softly to them as they enjoy their food.

While free feeding seems the ultimate kindness to former strays, felines tend to view the bounty as someone recklessly leaving food out. They need to recognize you as the loving provider of that food.

For expert advice on helping these and other kitties struggling to trust humans, I contacted Christine Arnold, president of The Nobody's Cat Foundation. Over the past 20 years, she's rescued and rehabilitated countless felines — many the average cat owner would have given up on or never adopted in the first place.

Felix in the accompanying photo, was one such case. At 6 months, he was mistrustful, hissing at and hiding from humans. She kept him in a small bathroom "safety zone" for about two months while he learned to trust, so that his true personality could shine. Ten years later, Felix is an "official greeter" in Arnold's home and loves everyone he meets of any species.

She says with willingness to alter behavior on kitty's terms, a cat of any age or background can transition to a happy indoor companion.

Arnold shares her secret to success with the following tips:

¿ •Create a safety zone in a small bedroom or bathroom —a place where kitty can observe her surroundings without being bothered. This also can be achieved using a large dog crate or carrier to serve as a den.

¿ •Restrict movement to this space and only allow kitty to emerge once she is comfortable in her "safety zone."

¿ •Give kitty at least a week or two of peace and quiet in the zone. Talk quietly when nearby. Don't try to touch her and only make occasional eye contact, blinking slowly to help her relax.

¿• Since cats mark territory with scent, spot clean and launder linens only occasionally and keep the same toys in the same space. Gradually increase the time you spend sharing the space.

¿ •Sit nearby reading, watching TV or engaged in some other routine pastime. Slowly decrease the size of her "personal space," moving closer ever so slowly. This can take days, weeks or months.

¿ •Wait for kitty to approach you or approach her very slowly as she learns to relax in your presence. Observe her behavior to learn who she is and respect her personality. Many cats dislike handling or being picked up, yet love to be petted and brushed. They're all different.

Arnold's recipe for socializing scaredy cats can take days, weeks, months or even years. She emphasizes that as with humans, cats are individuals — a product of their genetics and experience. If you respond to their unique qualities, you can develop a truly meaningful relationship.

She concludes with the ultimate nod, "There's nothing better than that first head butt, first squished-eye smile, first lap nap and purr from a cat whose trust you've earned."

The Nobody's Cats Foundation mantra "Nobody's Cat is Everybody's Cat" focuses on reducing populations of stray/feral cats through TNR (trap/neuter/return) and spay/neuter services. For more information, see http://www.nobodyscats.org

Karen Steinrock is a pet columnist based in Grantham, Cumberland County. Send comments and questions to Karen (along with a photo of your pet) to ksteinrock@comcast.net or to P.O. Box 306, Grantham PA 17027.